Multiphysics Phase-Field Modeling of Corrosion-Induced Degradation in Unsaturated Reinforced Concrete Structure

Corrosion-induced cracking poses a significant threat to the longevity of reinforced concrete (RC) structures, yet precisely forecasting its advancement continues to be a considerable scientific obstacle. The principal shortcoming of current numerical models is their excessive simplification, frequently presuming totally saturated conditions and disregarding the dynamic interplay between environmental (hygro-thermal) variations and developing mesoscale damage. This study presents a thorough hygro-thermo-electro-chemo-mechanical (HTECM) phase-field model to fill this research need. The model uniquely combines dynamic unsaturated hygro-thermal transport with multi-ion reactive electrochemistry and meso-scale fracture mechanics. A rigorous comparison with published experimental data validates the model’s exceptional accuracy. The anticipated progression of fracture width exhibited remarkable concordance with experimental data, indicating a substantial enhancement in precision compared to uncoupled, saturated-state models. A key finding is the quantification of the damage-induced “transport-corrosion” positive feedback loop: initial corrosion-induced microcracks significantly expedite the transport of local moisture and corrosive agents, leading to nonlinear structural degradation. This work presents a high-fidelity numerical platform that enhances the understanding of linked deterioration in materials science and improves the durability design of reinforced concrete structures.